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Posted Dec. 8, 2009

Top Four Scenario

The final 2010 NFL Draft Order is quickly approaching (barring pre-draft trades) as we near the end of the regular season. Yes, Week 17 is a somber week for all fans of non-playoff teams because the season is over, but we have the NFL Draft right around the corner.

It is looking like the top four picks could belong to Detroit (2-10), Tampa Bay (1-11), Cleveland (1-11), and St. Louis (1-11).

What I am going to do today is project where I think these teams stand in terms of their big boards. We are going to examine what their needs are and how that fits up with the cream of the crop in terms of NFL Draft prospects.

I won't be perfect here and everything I write is always up for debate, but I approach this with only logical analysis and try to be as objective as possible.

I'm going to predict the top four players on the big boards of each team and then explain why. This will give you a barometer for how the 2010 NFL Draft could play out (barring pre-draft and Draft Day trades).

There are 24 combinations if you use the top four prospects for each team that I have outlined (4*3*2*1 = 24) and you can play around with it if you wish.

The Lions' No. 1 need has got to be a left tackle and Russell Okung protects the Lions big investment in Matthew Stafford. The Lions could end up loving Ndamukong Suh so much they pick him ahead of Okung - after all this was the same team that drafted tight end Brandon Pettigrew over offensive tackle Michael Oher. However, when push comes to shove, Detroit must do everything they can to get Stafford to succeed and not having a left tackle is a problem. Okung has the edge in my mind at the moment.

This is a great year to be Tampa in the draft because your No. 1 need (defensive tackle) matches up with the talent on the board. At No. 4, I was drawn between Okung and defensive end Derrick Morgan, and this is dependent on what happens with Donald Penn in the free agency period. Will Tampa give him a long-term deal or tender him again as a restricted free agent under the CBA? We shall see.

Clausen and Locker are tied at No. 1 because I don't know whom the future head coach will prefer. I personally have to give the edge to Clausen because he has far more experience in the West Coast offense and will get a huge endorsement from future NFL offensive coordinator Charlie Weis - and if Weis lands in Cleveland or St. Louis, that team is going to take Clausen if he is on the board.